‘Back to the Future’ Returning to Theaters For 40th Anniversary

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Intriguing tidbit for you! If Back to the Future were produced today and Marty traveled 30 years into the past, he’d land in 1995 – a full ten years after the movie initially premiered in cinemas. Moreover, we’re now over a decade beyond the future portrayed in Back to the Future Part II, yet it seems that neither flying cars nor hoverboards are commonplace.

Great Scott, indeed.

2025 signals the 40th year since the debut of the iconic “Back to the Future,” and in celebration, Universal Studios is bringing back the movie to honor this milestone. Check out the latest trailer for this timeless classic!

There’s a very handsome throwback-y poster for the re-release as well.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but get excited about the upcoming 40th anniversary screenings! Not only will they be happening, but they’ll also be available in premium formats like Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and D-Box. And let me tell you, the 4DX DeLorean action sounds absolutely thrilling to me!

It’s not necessary to point out, but there’s also an upcoming 40th anniversary boxed set of the “Back to the Future” trilogy for this fall. Besides previously released archival content, this new collection offers approximately 90 minutes of fresh features such as an interview with co-creator Bob Gale, a panel discussion from the TCM Classic Film Festival, a documentary tracing the hunt for the Gibson guitar used by Michael J. Fox in the dance scene, and an account of untold stories behind the scenes, shared by cast and crew members.

Originally released in 1985, the classic film “Back to the Future,” starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg, has grown to be one of the most cherished movies from the 1980s over time. Following its success, it spawned two sequels, and more recently, a Broadway musical adaptation. However, directors Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale have consistently rejected the idea of a fourth movie in the series. But why not take another look at the original masterpiece on the big screen?

On October 31, Back to the Future is coming back to cinemas. Tickets for this special rerun are already up for grabs. Also, from October 14, you can get your hands on a commemorative box set to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

80s Movies That Got Good Reviews That Are Actually Bad

Out of Africa (1985)

Out of Africa (1985) – A Visually Stunning yet Dramatically Lackluster Best Picture Winner

Out of all the Academy Award Best Picture winners, it’s undeniable that the film released in 1985 is none other than “Out of Africa.” Starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, this film is based on events loosely taken from Karen Blixen’s nonfiction book. In the movie, Streep portrays Blixen herself as a Danish woman who relocates to Nairobi to establish a farm, later becoming embroiled in an affair with a big game hunter (Redford).

While visually captivating, the movie unfortunately falls short in terms of dramatic impact. Initially acclaimed by critics during its release, the film’s popularity has waned over time, reflected in a decrease in critical consensus. Retrospective reviews on Rotten Tomatoes have been less than enthusiastic, resulting in a revised score of 62 for this Oscar-winning production.

The Big Chill (1983)

Initially released in 1983, “The Big Chill” was seen as a defining cultural moment, embodying the feelings of discontent and mortality faced by Baby Boomers. However, with hindsight, its portrayal of Boomers socializing seems more like an outdated artifact from the past.

First unveiled in 1983, “The Big Chill” was recognized as a significant cultural symbol, representing the discontent and mortality struggles faced by Baby Boomers. Though it may have resonated deeply then, its depiction of Boomer camaraderie now appears more like a relic from the past than a relatable narrative.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 69
The quality of Roger Moore’s James Bond performances is such that even a film like this, featuring a ski chase with a motorcycle on a bobsled track and Margaret Thatcher conversing with a parrot, is considered his more serious role. However, I find the term “serious” to be misleading; For Your Eyes Only feels more perfunctory than extraordinary. It doesn’t reach the intensity of classic Sean Connery or Daniel Craig Bond films nor does it possess the over-the-top flair of Moore’s most extravagant outings. The villain, gadgets, sidekicks, female leads, and plot are all rather forgettable, as is the storyline about a stolen missile launcher. Upon its release, it was praised as a comeback, but today many Bond fans consider it Moore’s most underrated film; personally, I respectfully disagree.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Review Score: 70
Despite its enduring popularity as a comedy, this film exhibits an unexpectedly harsh undertone for a story intended to depict mistreated outsiders. It contains offensive jokes about homosexuality and racism, along with a plotline where a nerd fraternity retaliates against a sorority by invading their home and spying on them through hidden cameras. The climax involves the leader of the nerds deceiving a popular girl into believing he is her boyfriend, and then having sex with her under false pretenses. Remarkably, she falls in love with him, oblivious to his duplicity.
A remake was initiated in the mid-2000s, but it never materialized as production was halted just before filming began. The reason may be that this movie can only be relevant in the 21st century if it undergoes a gritty reboot, critiquing the idea that nerds deserve love, fame, and success merely because they faced bullying from popular jocks.

Tron (1982)

Tron’s Rating on Rotten Tomatoes: 74
Although Tron abounds with intriguing concepts and aesthetics, it often delivers films that look great, sound fantastic, but have middling narratives. Initially, critics were captivated by its stunning visuals, overlooking the film’s more significant flaws. However, as time has passed and its pioneering special effects have been eclipsed numerous times, it becomes harder not to notice these shortcomings.

The Goonies (1985)

The Goonies’ Enduring Nostalgia vs Modern Appraisal

With a Rotten Tomatoes Score of 77, The Goonies continues to be an endearing ’80s classic for many. However, it’s likely that not many have revisited this film in the last few years or decades. Despite its young cast featuring future stars and impressive production design, it seems that among all the fantastical universes Steven Spielberg helped create during his 1980s director/producer tenure, The Goonies appears to be the one that has aged less gracefully. Or perhaps, I’ve become a grumpier adult, finding myself more resonating with the stern adults in The Goonies rather than the energetic kids (Remember, kids, keep away from that rusty metal to avoid tetanus!).

One saving grace is the inclusion of Cyndi Lauper’s song, which remains enjoyable.

Licence to Kill (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 79
In Timothy Dalton’s second portrayal of James Bond, the film takes an unconventional turn. Instead of being a clandestine agent, Bond operates as a freelancer for most of the movie. After his friend Felix Leiter (David Hedison) is severely injured by a Latin American drug lord, he decides to leave MI6 and embark on a mission of vengeance. The storyline bears more resemblance to the film Yojimbo than any of Ian Fleming’s novels; Bond maneuvers himself into the drug lord’s organization, eventually dismantling it from within. However, the film lacks the malevolent humor typically found in Kurosawa’s work or most Bond movies. The final action sequence is the standout moment; otherwise, it’s primarily people fighting over cocaine concealed inside fuel tankers. Surprisingly, it received better reviews than some of the later Bond films featuring Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

Title Score: 81

John Hughes was famed for creating witty, empathetic depictions of teenagers through films such as “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” However, not all characters in his movies were treated with the same sensitivity. For instance, the film “Sixteen Candles” from today’s perspective appears questionable, featuring Long Duk Dong, a foreign exchange student who seems to embody almost every Asian stereotype known at the time. The character is even accompanied by a gong sound effect when he appears on screen. In retrospect, Molly Ringwald, the film’s star, has admitted in a “New Yorker” essay that Long Duk Dong was a “grotesque stereotype.” The essay also discussed Hughes’ films’ treatment of women and their casual use of homophobic language, characteristics that make his work notable as relics of their time rather than contemporary pieces.

Altered States (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85
Paddy Chayefsky, the writer of Network, created this thought-provoking film about a scientist exploring humanity’s past through sensory deprivation. However, Chayefsky and director Ken Russell had creative differences, leading Chayefsky to disassociate himself from the project. Although Altered States and its unsettling visuals have a dedicated fanbase, I personally agree with Chayefsky’s viewpoint that this film is rather dull.

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 85
Not only one of the least deserving Oscar Best Picture winners, but also one of the most puzzling. It’s understandable that its unique themes (aging and long-term employment) are seldom seen in Hollywood films; perhaps this novelty was enough to impress Oscar voters in 1990. However, Driving Miss Daisy is essentially a character study, and not one with much depth. Despite the passage of 25 years, the film fails to portray the progression of its environment or characters. In one scene, Dan Aykroyd appears just as he did in 1989, and in the next he’s wearing a large gray wig.
Forget about Do the Right Thing, which wasn’t even nominated; this film is not even on par with the other four films that were up for Best Picture in 1989. (Born on the Fourth of July, Dead Poets Society, Field of Dreams, My Left Foot) Any of those movies would appear to be a more fitting choice today.

Superman II (1980)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 88
Audience members are so enamored with Terence Stamp and the iconic phrase “Kneel before Zod” that they overlook the movie’s chaotic structure. Even elements that shone in the original Superman, such as Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder’s sparkling chemistry, seem out of place this time around. Superman, who was once alert to danger, appears clueless in this film, failing to notice three powerful Kryptonians taking over Earth despite his superpowers like enhanced hearing, magic amnesia kisses, teleportation, and projectile chest emblems. It’s puzzling that he would miss such a conquest, given his abilities.
(Note: Both versions of the movie are less than impressive.)

This version maintains the original’s tone while making the text more accessible to readers by breaking up long sentences and simplifying some phrases.

Crocodile Dundee (1986)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89

In 1986, the highest-grossing film was Top Gun. Interestingly, Crocodile Dundee, which earned about $2 million less at the box office than Top Gun, outperformed several notable ’80s films such as Aliens, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Stand By Me, Rocky IV, and The Fly. This film centered around Paul Hogan portraying a hilarious character – an Aussie bushman who finds himself in the bustling city of New York City after traveling from Australia.

The movie’s humor revolved primarily around this one concept of an Australian out of his element in the U.S., and yet audiences couldn’t get enough of it, making Crocodile Dundee a massive success, transforming Paul Hogan into a global star, and leading to the expansion of the franchise. However, I can’t say for sure why this film struck such a chord with viewers.

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2025-08-29 20:27